Hardcore: Core Max

Core Max presents three 20-minute core/ab routines. Two of the routines use a stability
ball, and one of those also incorporates a medicine ball.

I have the FitTV version of this DVD, which is available retail at Discovery Channel
stores (along with Low Max and Stretch Max). Although there is a separate intro
mentioning FitTV, otherwise I believe this is supposed to be the same Core Max offered
directly by Cathe.

The exercises in the three routines are separately segmented and chaptered. There
is a "mix and match" section where you can presumably create your own
custom routine (I haven't tried it). There are also three 20-minute pre-mixes which
scramble up the original three routines.

Cathe and four background exercisers work out in a pleasant set with Greek statutes
and columns. The music is fine if not memorable. The participants wear shoes,
but I think barefoot works well also.

You really need a stability ball to get use out of this DVD. Cathe and her crew
use an 8-lb. medicine ball, which I don't have so I used my 2-lb. Firm Ooof ball,
which was more appropriate for my abilities anyway. For exercises holding the medicine
ball, you could substitute a dumbbell. However, for those exercises where the medicine
ball is held between the knees, a play ball or pillow would be a more comfortable
option.

Cathe gives constant instruction and form pointers. She offers a lot of encouragement
to beginners and often suggests modifications, but no one in the cast does them.
Given that this DVD is marketed to the general public, I think having one exerciser
doing beginner moves would have been nice.

Time flows quickly in all three workouts as Cathe constantly changes the exercises.
She also incorporates some mini-breaks so you can rest and regroup.

Although this is marketed as a "core" workout, I agree with one VF comment
that these routines are more like "ab" workouts. The back exercises are
done at the beginning of each routine, and Cathe refers to them as a warm-up. I
would have liked more back work interspersed throughout each routine. Cathe also
does not do any stretching after the routines, so you may want to add that in.

Core Workout 1 uses only a mat. Cathe begins with supermans and levitation holds
(sitting cross-legged, you try to lift yourself off the floor with your arms; Cathe
and her crew lift their whole bodies up but I could only manage my butt LOL). She
then proceeds through a wide variety of lower, upper and side crunches, varying
speed and leg and arm positions. Cathe ends the routine with an ultra-challenging
plank sequence.

Core Workout 2 adds a stability ball. Cathe begins with supermans on the ball,
then rollouts. This is followed by a pike series I found very challenging -- kept
falling off the ball LOL! We then do crunch variations with feet on the ball or
holding the ball with the legs, then a ball exchange from upper to lower body and
back. After those it is upper body on the ball for side chops plus regular and
side crunches.

Core Workout 3 begins with supermans on the mat, then we move to lower body crunches
with the medicine ball between the knees, followed by more crunch variations holding
the medicine ball to the chest. The medicine ball is then put back between the
knees for side knee drops. We're back to holding the ball to the chest for side
twists and diagonal wood chops. At this point we grab the stability ball and lie
on top for side twists and more diagonal wood chops holding the medicine ball.
The medicine ball is then held to the shoulder for oblique crunches, and finally
we finish with variations of forward crunches holding the medicine ball.

The three pre-mixes are titled Balanced Core, Complete Core and Tough Core. I didn't
particularly notice any correlation to these names with the exercises in each, except
Tough Core did include the exercises that were hardest for me personally (levitation
holds, planks and pikes).

I am a strictly intermediate exerciser. I found I was quite challenged by each
Core Max routine but could generally keep up with most of the exercises although
I sometimes couldn't do all the reps. I was certainly sore the next day after each
routine. I suppose very advanced exercisers might find Core Max too easy. On the
other hand, beginners would be fine as long as they listen to Cathe's instruction
and are not easily discouraged when they can't keep up.

Overall I'm very pleased with this DVD. It is challenging without being overwhelming.
Cathe keeps things moving, and I wasn't watching the clock. I like to do a wide
variety of core work, including pilates-style stabilization. While I would say
most of Core Max is actually more traditional ab exercise (i.e. crunches), it is
very well presented, and will nicely complement other core workouts I own.

Instructor Comments:
Cathe is wonderful in this workout -- knowledgeable but very encouraging to less
advanced exercisers. While I've always admired Cathe, her other workouts I've tried
just weren't right for me. Her weight work has mostly been too intense, and even
her beginner choreography tangles up my feet. I'm glad I finally have a video of
hers I can use and enjoy!